Stoeger m3500 vs mossberg 935 vs other? Barrel length?

[Bigeclipse]

I'm looking for a new Turkey gun but don't have crazy funds. I would like the gun to be semi-auto, 3.5inch capable, and drilled/tapped for a red dot. Currently looking at the stoeger m3500 and the mossberg 935. I do not kill birds out to 50yards (I like calling them in to at least 40 yards) but last year I shot at a bird that I swore was 40 yards but turned out to be 48 yards. It was an open field situation and I must have ranged in front of the bird with my range finder. Luckily I got the bird so for this reason I would prefer a gun that could be capable out to 50 yards just Incase I made a stupid mistake like this. Thoughts? Also what barrel lengths do you all like? This gun will pretty much only be used for Turkey.

[SumToy]

Both are good guns.  Now the 935 is heavy (like carrying a 4x4).  The 3500 will be a better all around gun because is will work with 2 3/4 all the way to 3 1/2.  The 935 sometimes will not work well with the junk dove loads if you wanted to. 

[Greg Massey]

I'm looking for a new Turkey gun but don't have crazy funds. I would like the gun to be semi-auto, 3.5inch capable, and drilled/tapped for a red dot. Currently looking at the stoeger m3500 and the mossberg 935. I do not kill birds out to 50yards (I like calling them in to at least 40 yards) but last year I shot at a bird that I swore was 40 yards but turned out to be 48 yards. It was an open field situation and I must have ranged in front of the bird with my range finder. Luckily I got the bird so for this reason I would prefer a gun that could be capable out to 50 yards just Incase I made a stupid mistake like this. Thoughts? Also what barrel lengths do you all like? This gun will pretty much only be used for Turkey.

Why not build you a 20 ga. from a Rem. 870 Youth 21 inch barrel...with the right shell it will shoot better than the 12 ga with any shell...and a lot easier to carry...

[dirt road ninja]

I bought an 935 with a 26 inch tube, if I was doing it again I'd go with a 22 or 24 inch barrel. It's a turkey only gun and I don't regret the gun only the barrel length. It does well with just about all the smaller shot 2.25 oz Turkey loads and an IC 675.

[Bigeclipse]

I'm looking for a new Turkey gun but don't have crazy funds. I would like the gun to be semi-auto, 3.5inch capable, and drilled/tapped for a red dot. Currently looking at the stoeger m3500 and the mossberg 935. I do not kill birds out to 50yards (I like calling them in to at least 40 yards) but last year I shot at a bird that I swore was 40 yards but turned out to be 48 yards. It was an open field situation and I must have ranged in front of the bird with my range finder. Luckily I got the bird so for this reason I would prefer a gun that could be capable out to 50 yards just Incase I made a stupid mistake like this. Thoughts? Also what barrel lengths do you all like? This gun will pretty much only be used for Turkey.

Why not build you a 20 ga. from a Rem. 870 Youth 21 inch barrel...with the right shell it will shoot better than the 12 ga with any shell...and a lot easier to carry...

Are you saying you get more dense patterns with a 20gauge Vs a 12? That just doesn't sound right.

[dirt road ninja]

A tuned up 20 gauge can be very effective at the ranges you stated with factory ammo. A 20 gauge with handloads will beat most 12's with factory ammo. I hand load for both and I can honestly say the 12 doesn't have that much of an advantage (with hand loaded TSS). With a 2.25 ounce hand load in the 12 and 1 5/8 ounce load in the 20 and the difference is 5 yards. My 12 keeps 100 in the 10" circle only 5 yards past where the 20 does.

If your not rolling TSS, I'd go the 12 route.